Audiobook Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of turning your book into audio. Whether you're an author, producer, or voice-over, this tool helps you estimate your audiobook production costs.

Beta — We’re still refining this tool. Report a bug or share a suggestion.
Step 1 of 4 — Who are you?

Who's using this calculator?

We'll tailor the tool to give you the most useful result.

Display only — not a conversion

How long is the book?

Enter the total word count, or pick a typical length to get started.

words

What do you need included?

Select every service you want in your estimate. All three are included by default — deselect any you don't need.

What will you be providing?

Select every service you'll be delivering. All three are selected by default — deselect any that don't apply to this project.

Your narration speed and rate

First, tell us your narration speed — then choose how you'd like to set your rate.

Narration speed

7,920 words per hour is the figure we use as a starting point, based on our experience in audiobook production. Your actual pace may be faster or slower — use the demo recording option for a more accurate result.

Enter your words per hour rate directly. You may have calculated this previously or have it on file.

words per hour

Record a short excerpt from your book, then enter the word count of that excerpt and how long the recording is. The calculator will work out your personal narration speed.

words in the excerpt

How long is the recording?

min sec
7,143 words per hour — your personal narration pace

How would you like to set your rate?

Choose whichever you're most comfortable working with — the calculator will handle the rest.

Enter the rate you charge per finished hour of audio. This is how audiobook production is commonly priced and is what clients will typically ask for.

£

Enter what you want to earn per hour of actual working time. The calculator will work out your per finished hour rate based on the time each task takes.

£

Your Audiobook Cost Calculation

Estimated total cost

Adjust the rate


Narration speed

We've used 7,920 words per hour as a default, based on our experience in audiobook production. Adjust this if you know your narrator's actual pace.

Production hours per finished hour

For every one hour of finished audio, more than one hour of actual work is required. For example, recording typically takes around 1 hour 15 minutes per finished hour — retakes and direction mean it's rarely a single clean run. The figures below are what we use based on our production experience; actual times will vary depending on the voice-over artist, the material, and who handles each stage.
Total production time per finished hour 3.5 hours

What would you like to do next?

Your Audiobook Cost Calculation

Suggested total fee

Cost per finished hour


Your hourly rate


Narration speed

We've used 7,920 words per hour as a default, based on our experience in audiobook production. Adjust this if your actual pace differs.

Production hours per finished hour

For every one hour of finished audio, more than one hour of actual work is required. For example, recording typically takes around 1 hour 15 minutes per finished hour — retakes and direction mean it's rarely a single clean run. The figures below are what we use based on our production experience; actual times will vary depending on the project complexity and your own working practice.
Total production time per finished hour 3.5 hours

What would you like to do next?

Need help with your audiobook?

Print your calculation

Add your details to personalise the printout. All fields are optional.

 

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